The mindset in postmodernism is that objective truth does not exist. But in post-truth, the person believes that objective truth exists, but they subordinate truth to their preferences, or their comfort. In other words, one doesn’t care that truth exists or what the truth is if it doesn’t line up with one’s preferences. "There is but one straight course, and that is to seek truth and pursue it steadily" – George Washington letter to Edmund Randolph — 1795. Faith in Jesus Christ is our response to God's elective purpose in our life. These two truths–God's initiative and man's response–co-exist throughout the Bible. The gospel is "the message of truth" because truth is its predominant characteristic. Salvation was conceived by the God of truth (Ps. 31:5); purchased by the Son, who is the truth (John 14:6); and is applied by the Spirit of truth (John 16:13). To know it is to know the truth that sets men free (John 8:32). Believers are people of the truth (John 18:37), who worship God in spirit and in truth (John 4:24), and who obey the Word of truth (John 17:17). People have rejected, neglected, redefined, and opposed God’s truth for centuries. Some cynically deny that truth even exists or that it can be known by men (John 18:38). Others foolishly think that denying truth will somehow make it go away. Truth determines the validity of one's belief. Believing a lie doesn't make it true. Conversely, failing to believe the truth doesn't make it a lie. The gospel is true because Jesus is true, not simply because Christians believe in Him. His resurrection proved the truth of His claims and constitutes the objective basis of our faith (Rom. 1:4; 1 Pet. 1:3). Truth is our protection and strength (Eph. 6:14). Throughout history, people have tried everything imaginable to gain favor with God. Most turn to religion, but religion apart from Christ is merely a satanic counterfeit of the truth. At the heart of every false religion is the notion that man can come to God by any means he chooses–by meditating, doing good deeds, and so on. But Scripture says, "There is no other name under heaven that has been given among men, by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12). That name is Jesus Christ, and we come to Him by confessing and repenting of our sin, trusting in His atoning death on the cross, and affirming His bodily resurrection from the grave (cf. Rom. 10:9-10). There is no other way to God. False religious leaders and teachers talk much about God’s love, but not His wrath and holiness; much about how deprived of good things people are, but not about their depravity; much about God’s universal fatherhood toward everyone, but not much about his unique fatherhood toward all who believe in His Son; much about what God wants to give to us, but nothing about the necessity of obedience to Him; much about health and happiness, but nothing about holiness and sacrifice. Their message is full of gaps, the greatest of which leaves out a biblical worldview of the saving gospel and replaces it with the worldview of postmodernism with its dominant ethical system of relativism. The Bible describes mankind in the end times: “always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth” (2 Tim. 3:7). Spiritual answers cannot be deduced by human reason alone (1 Cor. 2:14). It’s not that spiritual truth is irrational or illogical, but that human wisdom is defective, because it’s tainted by man’s sinfulness, and unable to perceive the things of God. That is why the Bible is so important. It gives us the answers we can’t find on our own. It is God’s Word to mankind. Scripture is divinely revealed truth that fills the vacuum of spiritual ignorance in all of us. Post-truth is the word of the year for 2016 and also the philosophy of the day, According to the dictionary, “post-truth” means, “relating to or denoting circumstances in which objective facts are less influential in shaping public opinion than appeals to emotion and personal belief.” Simply put, we now live in a culture that seems to value experience and emotion more than truth. In a “post-truth” world, people make choices based on emotion and experience rather than objective fact. So in a post-truth world, truth is irrelevant. What exactly is a post-truth culture? It’s a culture where truth is no longer an objective reality. It has become subjective. It’s what’s true for me—my beliefs, my opinions, determine my truth. So in our post-truth culture, man determines truth. Man makes himself the ultimate authority. This starting point, which rejects God’s Word and the idea of moral absolutes, makes truth subjective. Truth will never go away no matter how hard one might wish. Christianity is grounded in objective truth. “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32). Objective truth exists because we have God’s Word. In the Gospel of John, Jesus says, “Sanctify them by Your truth. Thy word is truth” (John 17:17), and Paul and James describe the Bible as “the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15; James 1:18). The Psalmist says, “The entirety of your word is truth” (Psalm 119:160). Jesus Himself said, “For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice” (John 18:37). When Jesus said, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except by me” (John 14:6), He wasn’t expressing His personal belief or opinion. He was speaking the truth, a fundamental reality that doesn’t change from person to person. It doesn’t matter if our culture thinks all roads lead to God. The truth of the matter is “no one comes to the Father but by [Jesus].” This blogs goal is to, in some small way, put a plug in the broken dam of truth and save as many as possible from the consequences—temporal and eternal. "The further a society drifts from truth, the more it will hate those who speak it." – George Orwell

How can you grow as a Christian?

Remember: The Holy Spirit can empower you to live a Christ-directed life.

As you continue to breathe spiritually (exhale – confess your sin; inhale – yield control to Christ), you will experience a deepening fellowship with God enabling you to grow in Christian maturity.

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Maturity takes time – there are no shortcuts.

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T . .

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R . . . IT IS A LIFELONG PROCESS

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Spiritual TIME

Birth

1 WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO GROW IN CHRIST?

It means to increase in knowledge of Christ and love for Him.

Read Philippians 3:7-10 Why did Paul count all things as loss?

Read Matthew 22:37,38 There are more than 600 commands in the Old Testament. Why do you think Jesus singled this one out? How would loving God with all your heart, soul and mind affect your life?

Just as it is a natural process for a child to grow in a loving relationship with a parent, so it is also natural for you to grow in your love relationship with God.

2 HOW CAN YOU GROW IN CHRIST?

If you met a guy or girl whom you enjoyed, what would you do to get to know that person better?

Communication is vital to any relationship, including your relationship with Christ. Since communication must be a two-way street, you need to let Him speak to you and you need to speak with Him.

Four principles of communication that will help you grow in your relationship with Christ as you walk in the power of the Holy Spirit:

With God (Prayer)

With Non-Christians (Witnessing)

With Christians (Fellowship)

God With You (Bible)

God communicates with you through the Bible, revealing His character and His will.

Read 2 Timothy 2:16,17

How would you define each benefit described?

Which of those uses of the Bible would be most helpful to you right now?

How would you evaluate the helpfulness to your life of the Bible reading you have done so far?

You communicate with God through prayer, sharing your thoughts, your needs and your desires to do His will.

Read Philippians 4:6,7

Pray about everything

Pray specifically – so you can see God answer specifically.

Pray honestly – share your needs and desires to do His will (1 John 5:14, 15).

How can you know if what you are praying for is really something within God’s will?

You communicate with Christians (fellowship); gaining from their experience and helping them through yours. Just as logs burn more brightly when placed together, so Christians need each other for warmth and encouragement.

Read Hebrews 10:24,25

Why is it important to spend time with other Christians?

How important would this be in your own life now?

Where could you find supportive Christian fellowship on a consistent basis?

The Greek word for fellowship, koinonia, means “sharing in common.” We desperately need to share our Christian experience with others who love God and walk with Him, and likewise allow them to share with us. The church where we can meet other Christians and hear God’s Word is God’s appointed place for Christians to meet. Bible studies and meetings on campus are also extremely helpful.

You communicate with non-Christians (witnessing); sharing your relationship with Christ.

Read 1 Peter 3:15 What would motivate you to tell another person about Christ?

SUMMARY: Read 1 Corinthians 3:6,7. God is the source of your growth. You cannot develop spiritual maturity just by “trying real hard.” As you read the Bible, pray, tell people about Christ and spend time with other believers, God will be at work in you producing fruitfulness and maturity.

3 WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT AS YOU GROW IN CHRIST?

List some characteristics that you expect to occur as God produces growth in your life.

2 Peter 1:5-9 gives us a picture of growth.

4 WHAT CAN YOU DO NOW?

Try to set aside time for personal Bible study and prayer.

A good passage is John 15:1-17.

As you read, underline particularly meaningful verses.

When a verse speaks strongly to you:

1. Copy the verse on a sheet of paper.

2. Summarize what the verse means.

3. Write down how you can apply that verse to your life.

Verses Meaning Application

In addition, some other suggested passages are the ones in this lesson: Colossians 1:9-12; 2 Corinthians 5:18-21; 1 Corinthians 12:12-27.

Join a Bible study group where you can enjoy fellowship with others who are also learning more about this new life in Christ.

Talk to someone about Christ.

Who would you like to tell about the good news of God’s love and forgiveness?

When would be a good time to call to set up a time to see this person?